Battery Safe?

[samcm010]

So after months of no problems at all rebuilding I got a Russian 91% today version 2. Cleaned it and put it all back together built a 1.7 ohm micro coil tested it on my lavatube filled it up and transferred it to my EA mod. Got a burnt taste and pulled it off moved it back to Lavatube checked Ohms again 1.7 no problem moved back to EA mod same burnt taste then the mod got warm. Immediately pulled out battery and it was slightly warm. Checked the Russian on Lavatube and it shorted it and kicked it off. Pulled it all apart and after much fiddling without really knowing why have it set at 1.7 ohms new coil and now leaving it on Lavatube for the night. My Question is can I use the battery anymore? There is no evidence of damage and nothing leaked it cooled back to room temp immediately. I just do not want to charge it if there is a problem.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Baditude]

From what you have described, it appears there is something shorting out on the Russian. I don't know enough about that rebuildable to help trouble shoot.

If the battery only got "slightly warm", it should be safe to use if it checks out visually. Look for bubbling of the shrink wrap, asymetry of the end caps, ANY indication that the battery could have vented, etc. However, you didn't say what battery it is. Brand, model, amp limit. If it is a recognizeable name brand, an IMR or hybrid safe-chemistry, high-drain battery, it should be safe to use, but keep and eye on it closely for overheating again.

If your battery is not listed as one of the recommended batteries in the following link, I wouldn't trust using it. BATTERY BASICS FOR MODS: IMR OR PROTECTED?

 

[samcm010]

Sorry it is an efest IMR 18490 1100mah on that list and it only got slightly warm.

 

[Traver]

Why aren't you using a multimeter to check you batteries and the ohms on you coil. It's a lot cheaper safer than ruining your lavatube. Anyway you need to check the voltage on that battery before doing anything with it.

 

[shynsly]

Well i am waiting for my russian as we speak, but i believe that on the positive block there is supposed to be a "shim" of plastic or something to keep it from shorting. Double check that everything is installed correctly after you took it apart to clean it.

Good Luck!

 

[ycatsce]

As baditude said, check for any puffing or venting indications.

As long as the battery didn't get hot to the touch you should be fine. The batteries are rated at around 140F max temp, but I use the rule of thumb of 100F+ they get tossed. It's not worth testing your luck over a <$10 battery. Make sure it cools before you charge it, and there shouldn't be any safety concerns.

 

[Fury83]

Well i am waiting for my russian as we speak, but i believe that on the positive block there is supposed to be a "shim" of plastic or something to keep it from shorting. Double check that everything is installed correctly after you took it apart to clean it.

Good Luck!

There are insulators in kayfuns/russians but you can still short them out. The insulators are just what keeps it from not shorting during normal use. If your coil touches the deck or a wall of the chamber and so on.

 

[samcm010]

Why aren't you using a multimeter to check you batteries and the ohms on you coil. It's a lot cheaper safer than ruining your lavatube. Anyway you need to check the voltage on that battery before doing anything with it.

I did check the coil as I built it with my Multimeter and again before I closed it all up. I dont have one of those 510 connector ohm checkers so once it is all sealed up my checker is the Lavatube. Is there a way to use the multi meter to check from the 510 post?

 

[Traver]

I glad you hear had a multimeter before building. There are too many people that don't know enough to do so. Did you check the voltage of the battery? I think the specs for batteries say that they should not go over 120 degrees. Personally if was sure the temperature of the battery didn't go over that and the voltage was over 3.5 volt I would continue using it. I have a charger charger with a digital readout. It tells me the voltage when I put it on and take off and that also has an influence on what I do. In other words I would be monitoring that battery every time I charged it.

 

[samcm010]

I glad you hear had a multimeter before building. There are too many people that don't know enough to do so. Did you check the voltage of the battery? I think the specs for batteries say that they should not go over 120 degrees. Personally if was sure the temperature of the battery didn't go over that and the voltage was over 3.5 volt I would continue using it. I have a charger charger with a digital readout. It tells me the voltage when I put it on and take off and that also has an influence on what I do. In other words I would be monitoring that battery every time I charged it.

I do not think it went over 120 degrees. When I charged it the charger read 3.6v so I will continue to monitor it. I think the block above the thin insulator had moved slightly and was touching the base although I am speculating on this as everything else was in order. I also added a second o ring to the little screw that screws into the post on the bottom I think it may have been to loose when extended to make contact with the mod. I have not had to do this on any of my other Russians. I do have 3 russians and 3 KFL's and have had to adjust all the russians and never any of the KFL's